Ok- a quick roundup in the world of In Flight Entertainment (yes – on topic for this blog for once!)
US Airways signs with GoGo for Wireless connectivity – Leapfrogs United.
Yes – my favourite airline has leapfrogged United and has decided to plump for GoGo wireless, and will be installing it in A321 aircraft. With a 50 aircraft deployed currently and an additional 15, that is a sizeable chunk of its fleet.
Of course, don’t expect it over water, and a very limited deployment to start with. United is deploying WiFi on its PS services initially… but snails seem to move faster than some of United’s Business plan…
Continental – We do TV!
Continental is seeming to continue with its push to introduce more live TV options, with a formal launch of an 80 channel PAYG system. Little discussion of Inflight Internet though. Initial deployment is on the 737-9 fleet with the rest of the US Domestic fleet to follow
Singapore Airlines – 777-300 IFE Refit
Yes – Singapore Airlines who’s cabins look very nice tyvm will be doing a refit to 7 of their 777 fleet to bring it into line with their A380/B777-300ER, whilst confirming they will be dropping the remainder of their 747-400 fleet next year. For those considering redemptions with Singapore airlines (who sometimes need to be reminded they’re members of Star Alliance) – this will impact – Check your tickets carefully and check premium award levels. Something tells me these are dropping quicker than you can say “Sell Virgin Atlantic!!!”
Delta – More WiFi.. for ETOPS?
Yes, the airline that tells you smoking is not allowed is updating their ETOPS 757’s with WiFi. Deployment for these could be anywhere, with an eye to using WiFi internationally. If so, that would be a major coup for Delta… Speaking of more intenrational…
Lufthansa – Brining back the Connextion?
Brought to you from EuroHansa the airline that has far too money as it snarfles up any spare airline, it seems they want to reintroduce what was Boeing Connnextion – a WiFi/Satalite internet service. Part of the reason why it was shut down was lack of use and cost. Now it seems, with more people with netbooks and execs wanting to work more on the road… and people using MSN/Twitter/Facebook to catch up with the world, it seems that Connextion is being targeted FLEETWIDE.
Now if that is truly the case, I’d expect some seriously good pricing to make it work and a real en-mass deployment – and enough of a hit of it for other EU Airlines to take note of whats going ion
